[Note; as always, please use the addr. in the `Reply-To' field to reach me]
Well; here we go again! <sigh> :)
I know, I know; this really is becoming tedious and to be honest I'm
on the point of completely giving up on this thing (certainly it's the last
time any of this will appear on the FFML), much as I'd like to see it to its
end. It's simply that no matter how many times I look at it I'm not
completely satisfied; however I do think I've done as much as I can with what
has now become the first five chapters -- yep, it's a complete rearrangement,
although with only small (but IMO important) literary changes. Basically the
preludes are gone (I was never entirely happy with the idea of three preludes)
and the whole integrated into chapters 1 to 4. Further, the *huge* BGC intro
has been split in two, the second bit now not intended to be read until after
the A-ko intro. As always I'm seeking C&C although considering the number of
times this thing has appeared I doubt it's going to be forthcoming. ;) Still,
since the next posts will be to RAAC (yep - it's only appeared there once :) )
I'll definitely listen to any final suggestions.
Ok, here goes; oh and BTW if you've already waded through the foreword
on previous occasions there's no point in reading the remainder of this actual
post - the changes to it are pretty minimal.
Cheerio, and the last of the revised bits to come in the next two or so days,
Craig
----------Begin Foreword----------
Foreword V1.04:
This is the fourth revision to this foreword and will likely continue
to change with each revision and adition to the story itself. Just check the
version at the top for any indication as to possible changes.
Well, it's been a little over eighteen months since DC's initial
release to RAAC and the archive (a little over two years since its first
appearance on the FFML) and much has happened since its original genesis. As
I said at the time, this thing is my first attempt at fan-fiction, although
certainly not my first writing project. The concept began with a discussion
between a friend (Iaen) and myself concerning how amusing it would be to cross
BGC and DP. The idea more or less flagged immediately as, on consideration, I
decided I hadn't the patience to try. Still, the talk got me pondering on
whether it might be possible to cross several Anime/Manga universes in a
fantasy fanfic as dark, serious and terrifying (without a trace of gratuitous
bloodshed) as I could possibly conceive. Thus was this thing born. Much has
changed since the first draft of what became the first prelude, not the least
being that cross-overs are far more prevalent now than they were when I began
DC; indeed I had no idea where I was going when I penned that first tiny
fragment, only that I had begun something I wished to see to its completion.
That enthusiasm has been tempered somewhat by myriad events over the past two
years, not to mention the fact that I've original work to consider, still, the
tale cannot now wholly be abandoned.
So far, I intend to include (in order of initial appearance) Ranma
1/2, Sailor Moon (both versions), Project A-ko, Bubblegum Crisis, Dirty Pair,
Mamono Hunter Yohko, Ah Megami-sama, Dr. Who and Blake's Seven, not to mention
several characters of my own creation (none of whom have much at all in common
with myself and at least two of whom are the very antithesis of the perfect
Anime interlopers able to save the multiverse). However, fair warning now;
the basis for this will *not* be comic, not in any sense of the word and
certain characters may therefore begin to act with a little more forethought
than may initially be apparent as they are changed by circumstances and their
situation becomes ever more desperate. That is not to say that there won't be
the usual comic relief in the appropriate universes together with moments of respite and happiness, but the story itself will be *deadly serious* and most
definitely *not* for those who don't wish to see their favourite characters
put through a multiverse of slowly gathering darkness and growing evil. There
is only one more condition I've set for this. Not one of each included
Anime/Manga universe's main characters will make a cameo. If I can't manage
an important role for each and every character, that universe's participation
in this is history. The same is not true for the DrWho and B7 universes, the
second of which at least may have only a very small part to play and may be
used simply as a convenient stage upon which to play out some of the more
unpleasant scenarios, a purpose for which it should prove admirably suited.
Well, now that that's out of the way, just eight things.
1) First and foremost for those who have already read what exists of DC
and who wish to understand what on earth is going on; after careful
consideration I've decided that the three preludes were both unwieldy and
unnecessarily cumbersome with the result that the first prelude has been
integrated into chapter one and preludes 2 and 3 have been reversed, the whole
becoming the new chapter 2. Furthermore, what was a little over half of the
third chapter has now become the fifth or sixth (depending on whether the P: A-
ko intro (yet to be properly conceived) is placed before it), the remainder
becoming Chapter 7 (or 8). Although the negative comments were few, I had
finally to agree that there was simply too much complexity in the BGC
introduction to expect that the reader would grasp immediately its entireity
without spending time and effort far better spent in enjoying the tale. For
this reason I decided both to set the SM background immediately following
chapter 2 in the hope that the background to and the reason for the appearance
of certain individuals in the BGC reality will become simpler to comprehend
and split the BGC intro into two parts. Moreover, B-ko's fate as described by
C-ko needs at the least to be hinted at and some indication as to the A-
koverse's place in the greater story to be dealt with before that intro. To
precipitate this, the SM intro has been placed before what was originally
chapter 2, that now becoming Chapter 4. Of course this is all completely
irrelevant to anyone taking a look for the first time. ^_^
2) The main story consists of those files identified simply as _Dark
Chronicles_ and a chapter number. The DA manual (which will include
eventually as an appendix what is now the technical specs), the specs
themselves and the side-story concerning Zhuranovsky, Fellini and the DA
project's development should not be read until after the BGC intro.
3) Dark Chronicles is *not* a self-insertion fic regardless of the
initial impression that may be given by Johnathan's inclusion. At most his
explicit literery and musical interests represent a small subset of my own and
his morality is a fair approximation (but with religious overtones I don't
possess). I'd be *very* worried were I one tenth as obsessed as he although
admittedly I wouldn't mind his youth and a hundredth of his wealth. ^_^ As
for Joanna; I'm not even going to *try* to go there. :)
4) This hasn't a title as yet and I'd still be very interested in
suggestions. `Dark Chronicles', `Demon's Playground' and `Tether's End' sound
far too cliched to me (although the first will be used as a series title and
the last two might just make it as chapter or part titles).
5) These are alternate universes in the sense that all split from their
established canon in the moment this tale begins, thus don't expect that
things need to end pleasantly for all (or any) of them or that the `glitch'
this tale creates need iron itself out back into the original time-lines. It
most definitely need not. The split from canon for each begins after:
Ranma 1/2: Not exactly defined but after Nodoka finds out
about Ranma's curse and Akari appears.Sailor Moon (Japanese): Immediately following the final SS episode.
Sailor Moon (DIC): Likewise -- so far as DIC's SM interpretation
is concerned, I intend to include the Scout equivalent of everything
(including the outer senshi) so for all intents and purposes we can accept
that the DIC production team continued in recovery from what until recently
appeared to be their long-standing severe mental disabilities and managed to
produce the rest of SMR, SMS, SMSS and SS more or less in accordance with
canon but with the changes interpolated from what has already been altered in
that reality (i.e. Alex(Haruka) and Michelle(Michiru) will be sisters-cousins-
long-lost childhood friends-... in accordance with what DIC would be likely to
do).
Project: A-ko: Not exactly defined as I want to see
everything and in the correct order first, but probably after a-ko 4. The
Blue/Grey series has no part in this since I'll be dealing only with a split
from the canonical A-koverse.
BubbleGum Crisis: BGC 8 (Scoop Chase). The events of Crash
would not have happened as they did in the canonical (according to some
interpretations (certainly not mine :( )) BGC reality because of the changes
brought about by the creation of the DA project although it is possible that
they might have come to pass in some altered form (namely one that actually
made some sense) were it not for the catastrophic shift brought about by the
events of this tale. Certainly some Crash equipment such as the KnightWing
and some individuals such as Dr. Haynes exist in this reality although they'll
play a larger part in the `canonical' DA reality (a tale I intend to write as
a BGC stand-alone) rather than the fragment appearing in the DC version. In
effect what you will see in DC may be considered a split from my BGC tale
which is itself a split from BGC canon.
Dirty Pair: Not defined although the DP reality of DC will
be an amalgamation of all three canonical DP universes and with a Shasti based
as much upon the character of Experiment 101E and Reunions as upon anything
Adam Warren created.
Mamono-Hunter Yohko: Probably 5.
Ah Megami-Sama: Not defined.
It is also important to remember that unlike some cross-overs, each
reality is at the time of this tale's beginning as fictional to the others as
to our own and each is Anime/Manga in each of the others just as all are here.
If that's confusing, just think e.g. of the BGC/SM relationship as defined in
Mark Latus's `Bad Moon Rising' and you've got the general idea. :)
6) I've not seen all there is to see for any included Anime/Manga. With
this in mind, please correct even the *smallest* fault unless I've
specifically listed it as an intentional alteration. Remember also that parts
of this are still very much an initial draft. There are going to be absolute
wallopers of faults in this thing (particularly as my knowledge of some of
these universes is limited by what I can get here) and I need to know about
them. Anything but unmitigated flames will be listened to. These last will
be delivered to certain included characters (whose penchant for unbridled
mahem far outmatches my own) for consideration and appropriate response. ^_^
For those reading the archived or RAAC posts and who plan to post about this
to RAAF, I would very much appreciate any C&C being sent also directly to me
here (I don't always have the time to wander through RAAF). Regarding my
responding; please don't think your comments are being ignored if I don't
answer them immediately. This is currently a UUCP site (although it will be
permanently connected as soon as I can arrange it) so there could be up to 24
hours' delay between your sending e-mail and it landing here and another 24
before its return.7) With regard to anyone actually giving me a hand in the
writing/creative department; I'm starting this alone but for additional ideas
Iaen might come up with and I've had no expressions of interest from others
thus far however if anyone is interested in filling in blanks I haven't the
time to fill in myself or presenting a character/concept they think might work
I'd certainly be more than willing to listen. Naturally you'd be given full
credit for any help. Additionally, there will be at least one reality amalgam
created of the minds of several Anime and two original characters during one
particular incident that may inspire interest for development although it will
play very little part in DC. Also, if anyone wishes to be put on a pre-
readers list, please let me know. As with any writing project, C&C is the
only way your ideas for what you believe to be improvement can help.
8) I'm totally colour-blind and my abstract visual memory and integration
can only be compared to Ryoga's sense of direction. This is both a veritable
pain in the neck and means that I would very much appreciate a detailed
description from some generous soul of what the characters (in all forms where
appropriate) and important places in the above listed series look like colour-
wise and especially how they would immediately be identified by distinctive
colour traits in scheme/dress. Despite my visual shortcomings (not very akin
to Johnathan's BTW - I just did that to him to be a swine ^_^ ), I consider
such descriptive detail *very* important and don't want to make a total fool
of myself with clothing clashes, hair and eye colour, identifying
characteristics and the like. The above problems also mean that, although
textually I may manage a fair description of an original character, there will
never be any images for DC unless someone infinitely better at abstract visual
integration than myself (and that really wouldn't be hard, believe me) creates
them. Do let me know if you want to have a crack at it - they'd have to be
better than anything I could come up with. ;) I do plan however to release
MIDI music to go with the series.
Well, that's about all for now. Enjoy (I hope).
Craig (20th of August 1998)
----------
Non-anime Copyrights.
This work is copyright and permission to distribute it on a non-
proffit basis is given by me so long as not a single byte of any file has been
tampered with (disregarding anything the designated RAAC moderator might have
to do of course ^_^ ) and it is distributed in its entirety. No unauthorised
copying, broadcasting, public performance or appropriation of characters and
concepts in full or in part is permitted without written permission from me
first. This work may *not* be distributed for profit or in or with a
commercial publication without written permision from myself. Jonathan Liam
O'Reilly, Joanna Marina O'Reilly, Alexei Ivanovitch Zhuranovsky, his Genom
team, the DA-series buma, Fellini, the DK and NV crew etc. are Copyright (C)
1996-98 by me (well Jonathan might claim Joanna is his but as I wrote him he's
going to have one hell of a problem doing anything about it ^_^ ). The
diminutive DA attack buma are Copyright (C) 1996-98 by myself and Iaen
Cordell. The Magna-class buma are Copyright (C) 1996-98 by Iaen Cordell.
Everything else not native to the canon of an included universe is Copyright
(C) 1996-98 by me unless someone suggests ideas to me that I like and they're
willing to let me use. In that case the ideas remain *entirely* their own and
they may insist that I remove *any* aspect of them at *any* time unless they
specifically tell me otherwise and the copyright for them is theirs so you'll
have to ask them if you can use them. :) A case in point is C-koH who will have a cameo at some point. She is Copyright (C) 1996-98 David Outram aka
Kent Magami <kmagami@hsonline.net> and will probably pay you a visit to
express her creator's extreme displeasure if you use her without his consent.
Anime Copyrights:
Ah Megami-sama (Ah (Oh) My Goddess) is Copyright 1996 (C) Fujishima
Kosuke.
BubleGum Crisis & Crash & ADP Files are Copyright (C) Artmic / Youmex
/ Suzuki Toshimichi, Sonoda Kenichi, Gooda Hiroaki and Urushibara Satoshi.
Dirty Pair is Copyright (C) Takachiho Haruka / Sunrise / Adam Warren.
Mamono (Devil) Hunter Yohko is Copyright (C) 1990-1996 Mauyama Masao,
Japan Computer Systems / Toho, Inc.
Project A-ko is Copyright (C) Soeishinsha / Final-Nishijima / Central
Park Media.
Ranma 1/2 is Copyright (c) 1996, Takahashi Rumiko / Shogakukan Inc. /
Kitty / Fuji TV / Viz Video.
Sailor Moon is Copyright (c)1996, Takeuchi Naoko / Kodansha / Toei
Animation / DIC (even though there may be some question as to whether this
last deserves to retain it).
Acknowledgements.
I'd like to thank the following people for help and inspiration
(whether large or small) without which this fanfic would not have been
possible.
First and foremost I should thank the creators of the animes/Manga
themselves (if they'd not invented any of this I'd never have known about it
and of course this just wouldn't exist ^_^ ). Next Iaen Cordell, whom, soon
after we started talking by phone on a regular basis (he lives some 600 miles
from me and I've still not met him face to face after over three years of
regular phone-conversations) happened to mention one day that he'd found this
net FTP site that specialised in Anime fanfic and asked whether I knew what
this Anime was all about as the stories he'd read weren't half bad. I'd
already read bits of _Undocumented Features_ that had been posted to the prose
NGs (many moons ago when those NGs were worth reading) and was curious. I
took a look and neither of us have looked back since. :)
As for my introduction to each Anime itself, i'm perhaps in an almost
unique position in that I've not once seen an Anime/Manga before reading a
fanfic about it. For this reason, many additional thanks go to the UF crew
for both an excellent series in its own right and for introducing me to DP (I
thought Kei and Yuri were their own inventions until I stumbled on bits of
_Reunions_ and so through a circuitous root to DP itself), Darren Stefler
<twister@ranma.net> for doing likewise (more or less) to Ranma and BGC (and
for writing what I still consider the best author-insertion 'fic I've read
thus far with BG-Zone and Legion's Quest running a neck-and-neck second) and
kmagami@hsonline.net (Kent Magami (David Outram) To where have you vanished?)
without whose excellent _Project S-boy_ (now grown to the series _Tales Of
Graviton City_ - Don't abandon it!) fic I may never have discovered the
*excellent* _Project: A-ko_.
Regarding Dark Chronicles itself, I have to thank Iaen for giving me a
hand with the fine-tuning of many an idea and for his comments on the thing
itself and Kent (i'll probably always think of him by that name now :) )
without whose invaluable help and suggestions regarding both the A-koverse and
DC itself and the hundreds of K of e-mail we once exchanged I may never have
continued this FF passed the original chapter 2. Ok, the rest had better be
quicker. ^_^ In no particular order: g.feng@worldnet.att.net (Psyber) for his
help with BGC questions and his invaluable buma specs, without which I'd never
have bothered thrashing out the DA series buma with such detail (indeed they would probably have remained very secondary to the plot and my BGC stand-alone
would never have been considered); sfarin@mindspring.com (Salomon Farin) for
reading this monster before it goes to RAAC, for putting up with it getting to
him in fits and starts and for his help with many a BGC question;
jhedge@waterw.com (Jeanne Hedge) for answering BGC questions and for her
excellent BGC/BGC!/ADPF synopses which have proven invaluable reference
material; Hitoshi Doi's SM synopses for the same reason; Andy Skuse
<askuse@execulink.com>, Stormwalker <pingley@post.cis.smu.edu> /
<stormwalker@airmail.net>, Bert Van Vliet <skyknght@sentex.net> and
taylorjb@vuse.vanderbilt.edu (Professional Nene Worshipper) for their
answering my idiot BGC questions ^_^ before I had my own copies of the tapes.
For answering SM questions and questions concerning Kanji: Ken Arromdee
<arromdee@blaze.cs.jhu.edu>, "Geoff Walker, THE TYRANT PAX" (Ifurita)
<walker@mail.accent.net>, Scott Johnson <zagyg@IO.COM>, Chocobo
<chocobo@cris.com>, databank@mindspring.com (Zen), "Ranma Al'Thor"
<ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu> and Marisa Price <marisa@value.net>; your help was
very much appreciated.